Lacklustre Pompey Beaten Again

23 September 2012 08:40

Portsmouth fell to their third straight defeat after being comprehensively thrashed at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

The game got off to the worst possible start as Yoann Arquin scored from a corner in the first five minutes of the game due to confusion between Mikkel Andersen and Gabor Gyepes.

County ran riot early on and could have had more goals had it not been for some sloppy finishing as Pompey couldn't get hold of the ball apart from a small spell in the middle of the first half.

During that spell, Izale McLeod had a shot blocked and Luke Rodgers' effort was also deflected away from goal with the pressure ramping up on the Magpies' goal.

However, that spell didn't last and it seemed Keith Curle did his homework on Pompey's weaknesses as crosses into the box were causing havoc in the box whilst the Notts wingers were often getting past our fullbacks far too easily.

The second half began just as badly as the first as Alan Judge unleashed a screaming shot from distance that flew past Andersen.

Superlatives like "unstoppable" have been used to describe that goal but it might have been prevented if someone in a blue shirt was actually bothered in closing Judge down, and from my angle on the side of the pitch it looked like Andersen could have kept it out.

The third goal came soon after due to some hilariously poor defending. Three Pompey players couldn't even clear a basic ball into the box, which saw Judge steal it and pass to Arquin who had all the time he needed to slot in a third.

County cruised the rest of the game with Pompey never likely to score as the final whistle brought an end to another dreadful performance from Michael Appleton's men.

I could criticise the performance but I wouldn't know where to start and this article would probably never end. It was terrible from the goalkeeper through to the strikers.

The best way to sum up the day would be to say that the kids' game played in front of the visiting fans during half-time was more entertaining than the actual match itself. Simply because there was more commitment from the youngsters than the majority of those in blue.

A serious improvement in attitude and ability is required for the visit of Scunthorpe to Fratton Park next Saturday. If there isn't, then we're as good as relegated to League Two already.

Pompey Player Ratings

Mikkel Andersen: 4 - Flapped a lot and had no communication with his defence.

Mustapha Dumbuya: 5 - Wasn't allowed to run at the opposition.

Gabor Gyepes: 4 - All over the place.

Lubor Michalik: 5 - Won a few headers, but still struggled.

Jon Harley: 4 - Beaten constantly.

Lee Williamson: 5 - Was supposedly one of the best midfielders in League One last season. We are yet to see it.